Desk pad with easel

ABSTRACT

A desk pad including a generally flat support component configured to lay generally flat on an underlying support surface. The desk pad further includes a support flap pivotally coupled to the support component, and a prop mechanism coupled to the support flap. The prop mechanism is configured to support the support flap in a non-parallel position relative to the support component.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/741,153, filed on Dec. 1, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention is directed to a desk pad, and more particularly, to a desk pad with an easel for propping up at least part of the desk pad.

BACKGROUND

Desk pads are widely used as a device for making notes, keeping calendars, providing storage, and protecting the top surface of a desk. However, existing desk pads may not provide any additional functionality beyond these basic features. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved desk pad system.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a desk pad, and more particularly, to a desk pad with an easel for propping up at least part of the desk pad. More particularly, in one embodiment the invention is a desk pad including a generally flat support component configured to lay generally flat on an underlying support surface. The desk pad further includes a support flap pivotally coupled to the support component, and a prop mechanism coupled to the support flap. The prop mechanism is configured to support the support flap in a non-parallel position relative to the support component.

In another embodiment the invention is a desk pad calendar including a generally flat support component having a calendar printed or carried thereon. The desk pad calendar further includes a support flap pivotally coupled to the support component, a prop mechanism coupled to the support flap. The prop mechanism is configured to support the support flap in a non-parallel position relative to the support component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the desk pad of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is front perspective view of the desk pad of FIG. 1, shown in a propped position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded/partially disassembled view of the desk pad of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the desk pad of FIG. 2, with the feet in a retracted position;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the desk pad of FIG. 4, with the feet in an extended position; and

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the desk pad of FIG. 5, with the retaining tab moved to its retaining position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in the attached drawings, the present invention may take the form of a desk pad 10 having a sheet assembly 12 with a plurality of sheets 14. In one embodiment the desk pad 10/sheet assembly 12 is relatively large (i.e., at least about 100 square inches, or at least about 200 square inches). In one embodiment the desk pad 10/sheet assembly 12 is about seventeen inches by about thirteen inches. The relatively large size of the desk pad 10/sheet assembly 12 allows the desk pad 10/sheet assembly 12 to provide a large surface for making a large number of notes on a single sheet 14; and also allows the desk pad 10/sheet assembly 12 to protect the underlying support surface/desk top 16. However, the desk pad 10/sheet 12 can have any of a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited to the particular shapes and sizes shown and described herein.

The sheet assembly 12 includes the plurality of sheets 14 which are bound together by a binding mechanism 18 along a common edge (i.e. their upper or binding edges). In the illustrated embodiment the binding mechanism 18 takes the form of an adhesive binding mechanism. However, the binding mechanism 18 can take any of a variety of forms, such as staples, prongs, clips, clasps, book-style binding mechanisms, coil, spiral or twin-wire binding mechanisms, and the like. Each sheet 14 can be made of a cellulose or a pulp-based paper such that the sheets 14 are generally water-absorbent and can be written upon by a wide variety of media, such as pens, pencils, markers and the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the sheets 14 includes a calendar portion 20 printed thereon such that the desk pad 10 is a desk calendar. Each sheet 14 can have a monthly, weekly or yearly calendar printed thereon such that each sheet 14 can be separated from the sheet assembly 12 and discarded when the associated time period has passed. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide sheets 14 with various indicia (or no indicia) located thereon to provide a wide variety of uses.

The sheet assembly 12 may include a piece of sheet-like material in the form of a support panel 22 which underlies and supports the sheets 14, and the binding mechanism 18 binds the sheets 14 to the support panel 22. The support panel 22 can be made of a variety of materials, including plastic, paperboard, cardboard or the like. The support panel 22 may have about the same size and shape as the sheets 14, but may be made of a material that is stiffer and/or thicker than the sheets 14 to provide support to the sheets 14.

The sheet assembly 12 is removably coupled (see FIG. 2) to a piece of sheet-like material in the form of a backing panel 24. The backing panel 24 may be made of any of a variety of materials, such as plastic, paperboard, cardboard or the like and may have a larger surface area than the sheet assembly 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the backing panel 24 includes a pair of corner tabs 26 configured and located such that the lower corners of the sheet assembly 12 may be positioned within/below the corner tabs 26 to removably couple the sheet assembly 12 to the backing panel 24. However, the sheet assembly 12 can be releasably coupled to the backing panel 24 by any of a wide variety of structures, including but not limited to patches of hook-and-loop fastening material (such as VELCRO®), magnets, hooks, clasps, or other interengaging shapes.

The use of a separable sheet assembly 12 allows the sheet assembly 12 to be replaced as the sheet assembly 12 becomes worn or obsolete; i.e. at the end of the calendar time period 20 of all of the sheets 14 of the sheet assembly 12. The sheets 14 rest on top of the backing panel 24 such that the sheet assembly 12 is the upper-most component of the desk pad 10 and is directly accessible. The sheet assembly 12 and/or backing panel 24 may be termed a “support component” that is generally flat and planar.

A support flap 28 is pivotally coupled to an upper edge of the backing panel 24 along a fold line/pivot line 32. The support flap 28 may be made of the same materials, or even the same sheet of material as the backing panel 24. The support flap 28 may have a smaller surface area than the backing panel 24 or of the sheet assembly 12, such as less than about 50% of the surface area to provide a smaller surface area for storing components and the like. However, the backing panel 24 may not necessarily be utilized at all and the support flap 28 can, in this case, be directly pivotally coupled to the sheet assembly 12 (such as the support panel 22).

As best shown in FIG. 3, the support flap 28 may include two plies 28 a, 28 b which are pivotable about a center crease line 30. The two plies 28 a, 28 b are shown spaced apart in FIG. 3, but if desired the plies 28 a, 28 b may be permanently coupled together in the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6, such as by an adhesive. Further, if desired, the support flap 28 may include or be made of only a single ply piece of material. The support flap 28 may include a strip of elastic material 34 or the like located on the front surface thereof to receive various pens, pencils, notebooks, sticker sheets, etc. thereunder or thereto to secure such pens, pencils, notebooks, sticker sheets, etc. to the support flap 28/desk pad 10, as shown in FIG. 2.

The desk pad 10 may include a prop mechanism, generally designated 36, to prop the support flap 28 such that the support flap 28 extends generally upwardly from the support surface 16/backing panel 24/sheet assembly 12, and/or at an angle relative to the support surface 16/backing panel 24/sheet assembly 12. In the illustrated embodiment the prop mechanism 36 includes a pair of feet 38, with each foot 38 being pivotally coupled to the support flap 28 about an associated pivot line 40. In the illustrated embodiment, each foot 38 is generally shaped as a quarter-circle that is a die-cut in the outer ply 28 b of the support flap 28. However, the feet 38 can have a variety of other shapes beyond quarter-circular. In addition, the feet 38 need not necessarily be die-cut in the outer ply 28 b. For example, if the support flap 28 is made of only a single ply, the feet 38 may be simply directly attached to, or formed as part of, the single ply of the support flap 28.

Each foot 38 may be coupled to the support flap 28 along the associated pivot line 40 that extends generally vertically, or generally perpendicular to the binding mechanism 18 or the fold line 32. In this manner, each foot 38 is pivotable between a retracted position wherein each foot 38 is generally flush with, or lies flat against, or is parallel to, the support flap 28 (FIG. 4), and an extended position wherein each foot 38 extends perpendicularly away from the support flap 28 (FIGS. 5 and 6). When the support feet 38 are moved to their extended positions, the feet 38 act as a “prop” to prop up the support flap 28.

More particularly, each foot 38 includes a bottom support surface 42, which in the illustrated embodiment is the bottom edge of each foot 38. In the illustrated embodiment, each bottom support surface 42 extends at a slightly non-perpendicular direction relative to, and forms an acute (less than 90°) angle relative to the associated pivot line 40 when in the retracted position (see FIG. 3). In this arrangement the support flap 28 leans away from the support surface 16/backing panel 24/sheet assembly 12 when the support flap 28 is propped by the feet 38, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In other words, the support flap 28 forms an obtuse (greater than 90°) angle with the support surface 16/backing panel 24/sheet assembly 12. However, the bottom support surface 42 of each foot 38 can be arranged in a variety of configurations such that, for example, the support flap 28 forms a 90° angle with the support surface 16/backing panel 24/sheet assembly 12, or even leans forward. In any case, when the desk pad 10 is in this configuration, the support flap 28 may extend generally upwardly from the support surface 16/backing panel 24/sheet assembly 12 such that the support flap 28 is not parallel with the support surface 16/backing panel 24/sheet assembly 12/support component.

As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the desk pad 10/prop mechanism 36 includes a retaining flap or retaining device 46 pivotally coupled to a back side of the support flap 28 along a pivot line 48. The retaining flap 46 may be formed, for example, as a die-cut in the outer ply 28 b of the support flap 28. Alternately, the retaining flap 46 can be directly attached to, or formed as part of, the support flap 28. The retaining flap 46 is pivotal about the pivot line 48 between an upper or retracted position wherein the retaining flap 46 is spaced away from the feet 38 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and a lower or retaining position (FIG. 6) wherein the retaining flap 46 is located adjacent to the feet 38 and holds the feet 38 in place.

The retaining flap 46 includes a pair of grooves 50 extending partially inwardly from an upper edge thereof. As shown in FIG. 6, each groove 50 is positioned and located to receive an upper part of an associated one of the feet 38 therein when the feet 38 are in their extended position and the retaining flap 46 is in its retaining position. In this manner, when the upper portions of the feet 38 are received in an associated groove 50, the grooves 50 help to retain the feet 38 in their extended position and in the proper orientation. Each groove 50 may receive a relatively small portion of the associated foot 38 (i.e. less than about one-quarter of the length of each foot 38 as measured along its fold line 40) to allow the retaining flap 46 to be easily operated.

The retaining flap 46 may include an adhesive 52 (FIG. 5) covered by a release liner 54. In this manner, in order to permanently secure the retaining flap 46 is its retaining position (and secure the feet 38 in their extended position) the release liner 54 can be peeled and removed (see FIG. 5). The underlying exposed adhesive 52 on the retaining flap 46 can be adhered against the support flap 28 (shown in FIG. 6) with each groove 50 receiving a foot 38 therein to maintain the feet 38 in their extended position. A semi-circular finger notch 60 may be provided in an upper edge of the retaining flap 46 to aid a user in pivoting the retaining flap 26.

Rather than a single retaining flap 46, if desired, two retaining flaps (one for each of the feet 38) may be utilized. In addition, any of a variety of other structures for retaining the feet 38 in their extended position, such as stops, adhesives, detents, other retaining flaps and the like may be utilized.

Thus, when propped the support flap 28 provides a convenient location and conveniently-sized surface for storing components, and provides a stop to prevent pens, pencils and the like from rolling off of the top edge of the desk pad 10. The support flap 28 also provides ease of access to the storage component 34 thereon, and provides an area of increased visibility since the propped support flap 28 is generally perpendicular to the line of sight of a user, especially as compared to the sheet assembly 12.

In addition, the support flap 28 can be folded flat against, or parallel with, the sheet assembly 12/backing panel 24 when not in use. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the support flap 28 can be folded about fold line 32 such that the support flap 28 lies flat on top of or below the sheet assembly 12 or backing panel 24. This allows the desk pad 10 to have a relatively smaller footprint for storage, shipping, etc, and to unfold to form a larger footprint to protect the underlying desk or surface 16. If desired, shrink wrap or the like can be located about the desk pad 10 in the compact configuration to retain the desk pad 10 in that position.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A desk pad comprising: a generally flat support component configured to lay generally flat on an underlying support surface; a support flap pivotally coupled to said support component; and a prop mechanism coupled to said support flap and configured to support said support flap in a non-parallel position relative to said support component.
 2. The desk pad of claim 1 wherein said prop mechanism is configured to support said support flap such that said support flap extends generally vertically upwardly relative to said support component when said support component lies flat on said support surface.
 3. The desk pad of claim 1 wherein said support component includes a sheet assembly.
 4. The desk pad of claim 3 wherein said sheet assembly includes a plurality of sheets of paper.
 5. The desk pad of claim 4 wherein said sheet assembly forms an upper-most portion of said desk pad such that said plurality of sheets of paper are directly accessible by a user when said support component lies flat on said support surface.
 6. The desk pad of claim 4 wherein said support component includes a backing panel coupled to said sheet assembly, said backing panel having at least one of a thickness or stiffness greater than said plurality of sheets of paper.
 7. The desk pad of claim 6 wherein said sheet assembly is positioned on an upper surface of said backing panel.
 8. The desk pad of claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of sheets are bound together and include calendar indicia printed thereon.
 9. The desk pad of claim 4 wherein each sheet includes a surface area of at least about 200 inches.
 10. The desk pad of claim 4 further comprising a backing panel, and wherein said sheet assembly is removably coupled to said backing panel, and wherein said support flap is directly pivotally coupled to said backing panel.
 11. The desk pad of claim 1 wherein said support component includes a backing panel directly pivotally coupled to said support flap.
 12. The desk pad of claim 11 wherein said support flap and said backing panel are parts of the same, single and unitary sheet of material.
 13. The desk pad of claim 1 wherein said support flap is directly pivotally coupled to said support component.
 14. The desk pad of claim 1 wherein said support flap has a smaller surface area than said support component.
 15. The desk pad of claim 1 wherein said prop mechanism includes a foot pivotally coupled to said support flap.
 16. The desk pad of claim 15 wherein said foot is pivotable between an extended position wherein said foot is oriented generally perpendicular to said support flap, and a retracted position wherein said foot is generally parallel with said support flap.
 17. The desk pad of claim 16 wherein prop mechanism includes a retaining device configured to maintain said foot in said extended position.
 18. The desk pad of claim 17 wherein said retaining device includes a flap having a groove formed therein, wherein said flap is positionable to receive at least part of said foot therein when said foot is in said extended position.
 19. The desk pad of claim 18 wherein said flap of said retaining device is pivotally coupled to said support surface.
 20. The desk pad of claim 18 further including a supplemental foot pivotally coupled to said support flap and spaced away from said foot, wherein said supplemental foot is pivotable between an extended position wherein said supplemental foot is generally perpendicular to said support flap, and a retracted position wherein said supplemental foot is generally parallel with said support flap, and wherein said flap includes a supplemental groove positioned to receive at least part of said supplemental foot therein when said supplemental foot is in said extended position.
 21. The desk pad of claim 18 wherein said foot and said retaining flap are parts of the same, single unitary sheet of material.
 22. The desk pad of claim 15 wherein said support flap is a two-ply material, and wherein said foot is defined by a cut in an outer ply of said support flap.
 23. The desk pad of claim 1 wherein said prop mechanism is configured to support said support flap such that said support flap generally extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to said support component when said support component lies flat on said support surface.
 24. The desk pad of claim 1 wherein said prop mechanism is configured to be positioned between said support surface and said support flap when said prop mechanism supports said support flap in said non-parallel position.
 25. A method of using desk pad comprising: providing a desk pad having a generally flat support component, a support flap pivotally coupled to said support component, and a prop mechanism coupled to said support flap; positioning said desk pad such that said support component lies generally flat on an underlying support surface; pivoting said support flap such that said support flap is in a generally non-parallel position relative to said support component; and operating said prop mechanism such that said prop mechanism maintains said support flap in said generally non-parallel position.
 26. A desk pad calendar comprising: a generally flat support component having a calendar printed or carried thereon; a support flap pivotally coupled to said support component; and a prop mechanism coupled to said support flap and configured to support said support flap in a non-parallel position relative to said support component.
 27. A desk pad calendar comprising: a backing panel; a sheet assembly including a plurality of sheets bound together, each sheet having a calendar or calendar portion printed thereon, said sheet assembly being releasably attachable to said backing panel; and a support flap pivotally coupled to an upper edge of said backing panel; and a prop mechanism configured to support said support flap in an extended position wherein said support flap extends generally vertically upwardly from said backing panel when said backing panel is laid flat on a support surface. 